Yay! I'm updating sorta quickly… right? I made this chapter longer since the last one was shorter than usual. Uh, do I have to have a disclaimer? I'll put one in 'cause I've seen people's stories w/disclaimers and this is my first story on fanfiction… Anyway, thank you so much for all the reviews! Although I didn't say it before, you guys have all made my day when I got tons of reviews for Chapter 23! So, here are the thank-yous (for Chapter 23 and 24): Thank you very much to andreaatf, dancrchick, Twist130 (thanks for the, er, explanation about name in the box… I think ), Mellem, Sissel (thanks for the long and interesting review), Smitten by Marauders, ElvenSilver, tiff, Lela-of-Bast (moving again! Out of curiosity, where to?), M#2 (interesting that you thought they'd look that way…), Cursed2Bella (Luck on Tests, what?), flammingirl (Hooray! It's cool now! lol), Azalea Lodestar, PranksterPerfect, divel (you're right, but I like seeing what other people think and their ideas… besides, I am in charge of this story being the writer, and I can decide whether or not to use the ideas. Anyway, that's my view on it.), R. E. Mikkay (dang! I can't believe you're memorizing it! Good luck! And I hope that perhaps after a certain number of times, you will actually be able to experience what Ella did ;-) Sorry about Ella being ooc… I tried to make it a little better this chapter.), bratbrain (I won't kill u for reviewing! I love reviews! Thanx for the compliment, too!), little mimi, and jubli pebble (Your review was entertaining! Thanks for the suggestion, too.). I LOVE U ALL! lol

Disclaimer: I am sorry to say that I do not own the characters from Ella Enchanted that were used or are going to be used in this story.

Having no choice, I attempted to explain my actions. I told them just about everything. How we met, our meetings from then on, and then the last meeting. However, I left out a very large part. I didn't tell them about my feelings for him or his feelings for me, including the whole dilemma at the end. I was not about to open my heart out that much to them. Unfortunately, it took out the most important part and left my story very short.

John remained expressionless throughout my story, and Emma had just about reached boiling point. When I finished, there was a very long and awkward silence.

"So," Emma began quietly, trying to remain calm. "All this time, and you failed to tell me?"

I bit my lip and said nothing, refusing to look at her.

When I didn't answer, Emma shouted, "You think it's funny, don't you? That you got away with this silly little secret!"

"No, Emma, I-"

"No! I don't want to hear your excuse! You were being an idiot! Do you know how dangerous it was just for us to deceive the royal family into believing we were mail carriers?

"Well, yes I knew, but-" I tried to say, slightly frustrated.

"Obviously not because you went and told the prince your secret! You told him everything!"

"Would you listen to me?" I yelled back. "I didn't have a choice! Thanks to this stupid curse I had to tell him the truth!"

"Well it's not my fault that your cursed just as I am, is it? Maybe you could have done something really revolutionary and you could have BEEN MORE CAREFUL!"

We went on for quite some time, yelling and shouting at each other. It was our first really big fight. When we started cursing each other in different languages, John, who had been feeling awkward, finally put a stop to our stupid shouting match.

"Both of you, knock it off! Emma, you're supposed to be the mature one, so stop cursing Elisa with every language you know! And Elisa, for the Creator's sake get a grip and stop fighting back!" John yelled at both of us.

Neither Emma nor I spoke to one another for some time. This was quite a feat since we were around each other all the time. But, we both needed some time to cool down, so Emma would have small conversations with John, and I would sadly talk to Moonlight. Even John was mad at me, and I couldn't blame either of them really. I had just hoped they wouldn't take it so personally. When I secretly became friends with Rilean, I never weighed out the consequences. I regretted not doing that, because now my best friend and my sister didn't trust me, and they refused to talk to me. I suppose it was childish, not talking to one another, but I knew that at this point in time if we tried to talk to each other, it would turn out to be another argument.

Since now I had time to think more often, as we continued to ride through the countryside towards Gnome Caverns, I was beginning to think more often of John. It was very odd, and I would reprimand myself inside my head when I began to think of his strong Elfian features and his funny yet mysterious personality. Why hadn't I seen him as the attractive young man that he was? I mean, he was only two years older than me, really. By the time I got this far into my thoughts, I would yell at myself (in my head, of course) for my foolish behavior. What was wrong with me? A few days ago I thought I liked Rilean, and now I couldn't stop myself thinking about John! No. No, I didn't like him like that. He was my best friend. Nothing more.

When we finally reached Gnome Caverns, it was my birthday! I had almost forgotten. Now I was fourteen, on the very day that fall truly started.

A/N: September 21! Autumnal equinox! Yay, autumnal equinox! (Ahem)

"Happy Birthday, Elisa," Emma said quietly. I turned to face her.

"I'm so sorry!" We both cried out and we ran up to hug each other. We held onto each other for a long time.

"Now, would you like to see how well John can tell us apart?" Emma asked. I grinned. It was our birthday tradition to try to get someone to get the two of us confused. I put on Emma's clothing, and she put on mine. We walked up to John.

"I'm sorry, John, please forgive me," Emma said in a voice extremely close to mine.

"We made up," I explained in Emma's voice.

John looked at us and frowned. "Emma, why are you asking for me to forgive you? And Elisa, why are you wearing Emma's clothing?"

"Well you're no fun," I complained, sitting down next to him with unwanted butterflies in my stomach.

He grinned. "Sorry to spoil your fun. Happy Birthday, both of you."

I was so happy that we had all made up, but John still kept his distance. That night, outside of some Gnomish city whose name I can't spell, my cup and Emma's mirror gave us a surprise by showing us Rilean and Caspain standing in front of King Charmount and Queen Ella. We were contentedly gazing into the dying embers of our small campfire when my cup started talking, so we all rushed to Emma's mirror.

"The Kyrrian Annual Ball is in two weeks. Are you ready?" King Charmount

"Yes, Father." Rilean, polite and proper as ever. Caspian elbowed him in the ribs.

"Yeah, I guess we're ready." Caspian.

"You two will be true gentlemen… but a little fun never hurt anyone." Queen Ella. "Be polite, dance with the ladies of your choosing," here Queen Ella winked "and try to avoid talking to the Count, his heroic tales about himself are very boring and extremely long. I'm sure you'll have a good time."

The image disappeared, and the voices were silent.

"Well that was random." I commented.

John agreed. "I didn't want to (or care to) hear about that, did you, Elisa?"

"No, actually, I didn't, and I'm telling you the truth." We both turned to Emma, who blushed furiously, then tried to look as innocent as possible.

"Don't look at me, I could care less," Emma said with a shrug. We gave her a skeptical look, but she glared at us until we backed down. John decided that it wasn't worth ordering her to tell the truth. Which is unfortunately why there was not much warning that morning when there was a note by my head and no Emma.

Elisa,

You got your chance for adventure, and now I have my chance. Stay near that city… I'll come and find you when it's over. However foolish and dangerous this might be, I get to at least have a little fun and get to see the guy of most of my dreams. I'm going on my own because you got to have some fun on your own. You owe me this one.

Your sister forever (fortunately or unfortunately),

Emma